Shirt folding machine



Aug. 14, 1956 D. ISAACSON 2,758,761

SHIRT FOLDING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1955 FIG. I

I INVEN TOR. flo'w/e/ fwdcsaxz ATTORNEY United States Patent ce SHIRT FOLDING MACHINE Daniel Isaacson, New York, N. Y.

Application June 21, 1955, Serial No. 516,999

6 Claims. (Cl. 22337) This invention relates to folding machines, and more particularly to a machine for folding shirts after the manufacturing and/or the laundering thereof.

Existing machines presently utilized for the folding of shirts are complex devices which include an assemblage of delicate and complicated mechanism in intricate combination with one another. Such machines are costly to construct, and because of their complex nature are equally costly to maintain. Additionally, the personnel who operate such machines must be trained not only in the operation of the machine itself, but also in the care thereof. Moreover, conventional shirt folding machines have proven inadequate for the folding of certain types of shirts, the most important in this respect being the polo type shirt.

By this invention, a device for folding shirts has been conceived which does not require a plurality of complicated and delicate mechanisms nor extensively trained personnel for the efiicient operation thereof. Additionally, the device of the present invention, by its very construction, is sturdy and not subject to frequent breakdowns and therefore does not require extensive care. Moreover, the device is particularly adapted for the folding of polo type shirts.

Accordingly, it is among the objects of this invention to provide an improved shirt folding machine of relatively simple construction which requires a minimum of care and maintenance and which is particularly adapted for the folding of polo type shirts.

Further objects will become apparent from the following more detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of one embodiment of the shirt folding machine of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the head end of the embodiment shown in Fig. l with the cylinder walls broken away to show the structure therein.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view taken at the head end of the table showing the interconnection of the rotatable shaft with the hinge connecting the table and the folding wing.

In its fundamental aspects, the primary objects of the invention are achieved by a device comprising a table whereupon unfolded shirts are positioned for folding, a shirt folding member pivotally connected to each of the lateral sides of the said table, the said members being oppositely disposed at the head end thereof, a shirt tail folding member pivotally connected to the foot end of the said table, and means for causing the said shirt folding members to fold and unfold thereby causing shirts positioned upon the table to be folded.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly with reference to Fig. 1; the supporting surface whereupon shirts are placed for folding consists, in this particular embodiment of the invention, of a broad panel 20 positioned adjacent the foot end of the table, and a narrower panel 22 positioned adjacent the head end of the table, the said panels extending towards each other thereby 2,7 58,76 1 Patented Aug. 14, 1956 2 providing a flat supporting surface extending substantially the length of the table whereupon shirts are positioned and subsequently folded.

The supporting structure for the said panels consists of lateral members 32, whereupon panel 20 is mounted, and end members 34, panel 22 being supported by the end member located at the head of the table and by a cross bar extending transversely of the table intermediate of its ends, the cross bar not being visible in the drawing. Legs 36 depend from the aforementioned supporting structure at each corner thereof to maintain the panels in elevated position.

Shirt folding members 24, 26 pivotally connected to the lateral sides of panel 22, in this particular instance by means of hinges 30, are adapted to rotate in an arc of degrees to fold upon the said panel. Shirt tail folding member 28 located at the foot end of the said table is connected to panel 20 is similar fashion and is likewise adapted to rotate in an arc to fold upon panel 20.

Rotatable shafts 38, provided with gearing 40 at their ends, extend horizontally along the spaces defined by the said shirt folding members and the portions of the panels adjacent thereto. As can be best seen in Fig. 2, the shafts extend through the central portions of hinges 30 and are attached to the said hinges by means of pins 42.

Cylinders 44, 46, are pivotally attached to the legs at the head end of the table, and are maintained in position by means of coil spring 50 extending therebetween for reasons hereinafter appearing. As is evident from the drawing, cylinders 44, 46 are positioned substantially at right angles to panel 22 whereas cylinder 48, affixed to lateral member 32 by means of metal straps 52, is horizontally disposed adjacent the foot end of the table.

A piston 54, having a rod 56 extending therefrom, is disposed within each cylinder, the rod extending in each instance outward-1y of the sealed cylinder and terminating in gearing 58 provided at the end thereof. Coil spring 60 extending between cylinder end 62 and piston 54 holds the piston against cylinder end 64 when the pressure in the cylinder is atmospheric.

The table is provided with an endless belt 66 extending around the top portion thereof, the said belt traveling upon a rotatable drum 68 positioned under the top portion of the said table. Shaft 70, extending outwardly of the said drum, is adapted for aflixation to power means, not shown, whereby movement may be imparted to the drum to drive the belt.

The shirt folding machine is adapted to be operated under the medium of compressed air, the air lines leading from the compressor to the cylinders being deleted so as not to unduly encumber the drawing.

The folding operation commences with the operator placing a polo shirt upon belt 66 at the head end of the machine so that its sleeves and sides lie upon folding members 24, 26. The machine is set into motion with the energization of solenoid valve 72 causing the said valve to open. By reason thereof, compressed air is caused to flow into cylinders 44, 48. Pressurized air within the said cylinders causes the compression of spring 60 and the displacement of pistons 54. As pistons 54 are displaced 48 piston 54 urged by spring 60 returns to its original.-

3 position, the reversal of the movement causing the unfoldingof folding members 24, 28.

With the reutrn of folding ,members 24, 28 to their original unfolded position, solenoid valve 74 is opened and folding member 26 is caused to fold and unfold upon panel 22, as hereinabove described, thereby completing the folding of the arms and the sides or the 'T-shirt positioned upon :the table. As shirt folding member 26 returns to its original unfolded position, drum &8 is caused to rotate to .drive belt 66 to move the partially folded shirts positioned thereon in the direction of the shirt tail folding member. With a pause in the movement of the belt, the operator again places a shirt upon the table where the first shirt had originally been and the operation is thereupon repeated, the partially folded shirts eventually reaching shirt tail folding member 28 where they are folded in half and then removed from the table for pinning and packaging.

As is evident from the foregoing, a device for folding shirts has been devised which relatively simple in construction and yet :of requisite sturdiness. Additionally, a .shirt folding machine constructed in accordance with the above does not require extensive maintenance and is easily and simply operated. Moreover, the device of this invention is perfectly adapted for the folding of T-shirts and polo shirts, and provides for the conveying of partially folded T-shirtsand polo shirts without disturbance thereto.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to one preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood after reading this specification, that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is:

I claim:

1. A device for folding shirts comprising a table whereupon unfolded shirts are positioned for folding, a shirt folding wing pivotally connected to each of the lateral sides of the said table, the said wings being oppositely disposed at the head .end of the table, a shirt tail folding wing 'pivotally connected to the foot end of the said table, means associated with the said table for folding and unfolding said shirt folding wings, and a conveyor mounted on said table for longitudinal movement, the said conveyor moving in step-wise fashion for conveying partially folded shirts to the shirt tail folding wing.

2. A device for folding shirts comprising a table whereupon shirts are positioned for folding, a shirt folding wing pivotally connected to each of the lateral sides of the said table, the said wings being voppositely disposed at the head end of the table, a shirt tail folding wing pivotally connected .to the foot endof the said table, means associated with the said table for sequentially folding and unfolding the said wings, the said means simultaneously folding and unfolding the tail wing and one of the side Wings and actuating the other side wing after the first mentioned side wing and the tail wing have been substantially unfolded, and a conveyor mounted on said table for longitudinal movement, the said conveyor moving a predetermined distance along the table after the folding wings have completed one complete cycle of movement to convey partially folded shirts towards the tail folding wing.

3. A device for folding shirts comprising a table Whereupon unfolded shirts are positioned for folding, a shirt folding Wing pivotally connected to each of the lateral sides of the said table, the said wings being oppositely disposed at thehead end of the table, a shirt tail folding wing pivotally connected to the foot end of the said table, a pneumatic motor mounted on the said table for sequentially folding and unfolding the said wings, the said motor simultaneously folding and unfolding the tail wing and one of the side wings and actuating the other side wing after the first mentioned side Wing and the tail wing have been ubstant lly un old d, nd a pneu a ically P ed. c nveyor mounted on said table for longitudinal movement, the said conveyor moving a predetermined distance along the table after the folding wings have completed one complete cycle of movement to convey partially folded shirts towards the tail folding wing.

4. A device for folding shirts comprising a table whereupon unfolded shirts are positioned for folding, a shirt folding Wing hingedly connected to each of the lateral sides of the said table, the said wings being oppositely disposed at the head end of the table, a shirt tail folding wing hingedly connected to hte foot end of .the said table, rotatable shafts for each shirt folding wing, each shaft extending between i-ts respective shirt folding wing and the portion of the table adjacent thereto, each shaft being affixed to the hinged connections interconnecting its respective shirt folding wing and the table, gearing at the end of each shaft, an air cylinder mounted on the table for each shirt folding member, each of said cylinders having a plunger slidably mounted therein, the said plungers moving outwardly of the cylinders upon the introduction of compressed air therein, gearing at the endof each plunger, the said gearing meshing with the gearing of each rotatable shaft as the plungers are displaced outwardly of the cylinders under the medium of compressed air to fold the said shirt folding wings, and a pneumatically powered conveyor mounted on said table for longitudinal movement, the said conveyor moving in step-wise fashion for conveying partially folded shirts to the shirt tail folding wing.

5. A device for folding shirts comprising a table whereupon unfolded shirts are positioned for folding, a shirt folding wing hingedly connected to each of the lateral sides of the said table, the said wings being oppositely disposed at the head end of the table, a shirt tail folding wing hingedly connected to the foot end of the said table, rotatable shafts for each shirt folding wing, each shaft extending between its respective shirt folding wing and the portion of the table adjacent thereto, each shaft being afiixed to the hinged connections interconnecting its respective shirt folding wing and the table, gearing at the end of each shaft, an air cylinder mounted on the table for each shirt folding member, each of said cylinders having a plunger slidably mounted therein, the said plungers moving outwardly of the cylinders upon the introduction of compressed air therein, gearing at the end of each plunger, the said gearing meshing with the gearing of each rotatable shaft as the plungers are displaced outwardly of the cylinders under the medium of compressed air to fold the said shirt folding wings, means for sequentially actuating the said plungers, the plungers for one of said side folding wings and the tail folding wing being simultaneously actuated, the plunger for the other side wing being actuated after the first mentioned side wing and the tail wing have been substantially unfolded, and a conveyer mounted on said table for longitudinal movement, the said conveyer moving a predetermined distance along the table after the folding Wings have completed one complete cycle of movement to convey partially folded shirts towards the tail folding wing.

6. A device for folding shirts comprising a table whereupon unfolded shirts are positioned for folding, a shirt folding wing hingedly connected to each of the lateral sides of the said table, the said wings being oppositely disposed at the head end of the table, a shirt tail folding Wing hingedly connected to the foot end of the said table, rotatable shafts for each shirt folding wing, each shaft extending between its respective shirt folding wing and the portion of the table adjacent thereto, each shaft being aflixed to the hinged connections interconnecting its respective shirt folding wing and the table, gearing at the end of each shaft, an air cylinder mounted on the table for each shirt folding wing, each of said cylinders having a plunger slidably mounted therein, spring means associated with each plunger for maintaining the plunger in retracted position within the cylinder prior to the introduction of compressed air therein, gearing at the end of each plunger, the said gearing meshing with the gearing of each rotatable shaft as the plungers are displaced outwardly of the cylinders under the medium of compressed air to fold the said shirt folding wings, valve means associated with each cylinder for exhausting the pressurized gas therefrom when the plungers have completed their outward stroke thereby reversing the movement of the plungers and unfolding the said wings, means for sequentially actuating the said plungers, the plungers for one of said side folding wings and the tail folding wing being simultaneously actuated, the plunger for the other side wing being actuated after the first mentioned side Wing and the tail wing have been substantially unfolded, and a conveyer mounted on said table for longitudinal movement, the said conveyer moving a predetermined distance along the ta ble after the folding wings have completed one complete cycle of movement to convey partially folded shirts towards the tail folding wing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,130,733 Combarette Sept. 20, 1938 2,556,079 Gayring June 5, 1951 2,616,594 Calder et a1 Nov. 4, 1952 

